Picture yourself cruising down the highway. A warm breeze blowing in the window as the miles of pavement roll by under your tires. Each new town and city brings another chance to explore the wonders of America. This is just the kind of experience you get when traveling along the path of the old Route 66. We have chosen to digest this 2448-mile path a little at a time, which allows more freedom for in-depth study. During our 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma, we found educational attractions, delectable dishes, and plenty of friendly locals.

First Taste of Weatherford, Oklahoma

Cruising the road can create quite a hunger. It’s easy to get distracted by all of the eye candy one finds along the Mother Road. By the time we rolled into Weatherford, we were famished from a morning of exploring. Our first stop was Lucille’s Roadhouse, which has existed since 1937. In 2006, they relocated from Hydro, Oklahoma to their current location. The creation of the interstate highway system marked a slow death for many roadside stops along the original Route 66. Fortunately, some, like Lucille’s, have found a way to survive. It certainly made us feel like we were stepping back in time to the golden age of road-tripping.

History in the Heartland

Speaking of the golden age, our visit to Heartlandthe of America Museum offered us a peek back in time to a variety of ages. While a lot of the artifacts were familiar to us, there were just as many that were completely foreign. We have to think way back to remember some, and others are just part of stories that we heard from earlier generations. These types of history collections are slowly losing their audience, so it’s important to help support them. Perhaps we will see a revival of the days when you would stop by the local drugstore for a sundae at their soda fountain.

Stafford Air & Space Museum

With only 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma, it meant that we had to make the most of our time. One of our main purposes for selecting this city, was a chance to see the Stafford Air & Space Museum. We weren’t sure what we would find, but seeing an aerospace museum in a city of 10,000 residents certainly intrigued us. From our research, we knew that they had some unique exhibits on-site. It’s not everyday that you have an opportunity to see some of the artifacts found in this space. Walking beside a Titan II missile helps put its size in perspective.

Studying the “Space Race”

Many of us can remember learning about the “Space Race” between Russia and the United States. At the Stafford Air 7 Space Museum, you can see a V-2 Rocket from World War II. This is the first long-range guided rockets, which reached into space in 1944. Once the military war ended, the “Cold War” began ratcheting up. Inside this Weatherford museum, we found a nice selection of exhibits about this new age of travel. What began with the launch of satellites, soon progressed to the goal of putting a human on the moon. You can learn all about this race in this museum.

Little Italy Comes to Town

As the day drew toward evening, it signaled the time for the attractions to close. We drove around the downtown area and checked out a few of the shops. Much like we find in many small to mid-size cities, the majority of the commercial outlets are found on Main Street. We popped into a couple of boutique shops and antique stores. Soon it was time for these to close, as well. We realized that dinner time had arrived and made our way to a local Italian cuisine destination. Luigi’s Italian Restaurant is popular with the locals, who happily welcomed us into their space. After so much exploring, we had worked up quite an appetite, but this place offered plenty to satisfy it.

A Comfortable Stay

Now that we had full bellies, we were ready to check into our lodging for the evening. Just off Main Street we located the Comfort Inn & Suites. They were currently changing from their ownership, but it didn’t really impact our stay. We chose this location because it offered a place near downtown and it has a pool. We both enjoy taking a dip but rarely get an opportunity during our blogging sessions. Forgoing any evening entertainment, we chose to stay in and check out this amenity. Once we finished our dip in the pool, we were ready to hit the sack for a good night’s rest.

Breakfast with the Locals

Our 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma were running low, but we still had time for a couple quick stops. We know that breakfast sets the tone for the day, so we try to have a hearty meal when traveling. With more roads to explore, we chose to keep in our Route 66 mode by visiting Jerry’s Restaurant. This chain grew to fame in the western states starting in 1964. Walking through the door, we knew it was a hangout for locals. After sizing us up, they warmed to our visit. It can be interesting to see how they react to a couple with a camera. Of course, being a Mother Road attraction means that they are used to being in pictures.

Fueling Our Morning

Our morning dining choice came with a slew of options. Benedicts, scrambles, omelets, French toast, pancakes, and even more choices were making it hard to select. Our server pointed out that everything is cooked to order, so the whole menu is delicious. With little guidance, we just pointed and picked our breakfasts. We discovered that she was right, as my Eggs Benedict was delectable. Once again we had replenished our body fuel and were preparing to head back out on the open road.

Our final stop in Weatherford was at The Cup. (pictured at the beginning of this article) We had spotted this cute boutique coffee shop during our exploration on the previous day. Since it was past coffee time in the evening, we chose to double back for a morning visit. We chose a couple of specialty lattes for the road and said our goodbyes to Weatherford.

24 Hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma

As you can see, there is plenty to fill 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It’s in cities like this that we find some of the most unexpected surprises. With just under half of Route 66 under our belts, we are curious to see what the other half has to offer. The open road is fun to explore and really brings the feeling of Americana to life. If you are looking for some nostalgia, you will definitely find plenty along Mother Road. Make sure to plan plenty of extra time for unexpected excursions, as there is so much to see and do. Have you ever explored portions of Route 66? We’d love to hear some of your favorite stops along the way.

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We want to thank the Stafford Air & Space Museum for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Aviation History

We have all seen the old movie clips of the various flying contraptions that failed to launch. Many people worked singularly to solve the riddle of manned flight. It took collaboration to finally achieve the momentous victory at Kitty Hawk. The Wright Brothers were deliberate in their approach, learning important lessons from their unsuccessful predecessors. During a visit to Chanute, Kansas we learned that they even had assistance from a bridge designer. This led to their ultimate victory in achieving sustained flight. The Stafford Air Museum offers a variety of aircraft that walk guests through the timeline of development.

Rapid Advancements

While combustion engines allowed man to soar, it would be the invention of jet engines that got us moving. Without tremendous amounts of thrust, we would always be limited. As far back as Sir Isaac Newton’s day, there was a belief that you could propel forward by a rear-facing explosion. More unsuccessful attempts happened in this arena, mostly due to the lack of power supplied by coal. It took until 1942 for the first American jet engine to be developed. The addition of pressurized cabins allowed for loftier flights.

Hands-On Displays

High on our list of 6 reasons to visit the Stafford Air & Space Museum are all of their interactive exhibits. When was the last time that you got to climb into the cockpit of a jet fighter? Crystal didn’t hesitate to take her turn at the joystick and pictured herself cruising through the atmosphere.

Rockets

While jets certainly changed the way humans travel, we were still limited to our planet. This was not enough for some who had dreams of traveling into space. We can imagine the delight found by earlier generations when they would watch fireworks shoot into the sky. This rapid explosion of power was developed by the Chinese, who harnessed the use of gunpowder. The idea of space exploration, utilizing rocket power, was proposed in 1898 by a Russian schoolteacher. While solid propellants were effective for shorter bursts, the use of liquid fuels would soon become recognized. During World War II, Germany’s V-2 Rocket stunned the scientific world. After the war, Allied countries would begin the “Space Race” to see who would be first to explore the outer regions.

Unbelievable Size

Exploring the museum offered us some exhibits that were unbelievable in size. To stumble upon a Titan II Rocket inside was certainly unexpected. We had seen a variety of rockets during a visit to the Strategic Air Command Museum, but they were all outdoors.  These launch vehicles are usually associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles but have served another purpose. The 1960s were the height of the “Space Race” and both Russia and the United States both saw advancements. By the middle of the decade, astronauts had already performed spacewalks. The race was on to see who would be the first to walk on the moon, which would occur before the decade ended. The Titan rockets helped pave the way for the creation of the Saturn series that would take Apollo 11 to the moon.

Space Capsules

Landing on the moon may have been the end game, but it took a series of steps to accomplish this feat. One of the 6 reasons to visit the Stafford Air & Space Museum is the chance to see space capsules up close. While Russia dealt with its tests, the U.S. was advancing through a rapid change in designs. Each new generation of space capsules was designed to accomplish a specific set of goals. The Gemini models (pictured on left above) were used to make the first orbits of the earth. During the Gemini 6 flight, Thomas Stafford made his first journey into space.

Stafford would take part in the Apollo 10 mission that orbited the moon 31 times. This trip paved the way for the Apollo 11 mission two months later. During the Apollo 10 trip, the astronauts on board traveled farther away from earth than anyone had ever accomplished. During the trip, Stafford piloted the Lunar Module during orbit and successfully docked with the Command Module (pictured on right above). During the return trip, the capsule achieved a speed of nearly 24,800 mph, which is the record for human travel.

Space Artifacts

We can only imagine the nerves of steel required to experience reentry through the atmosphere. We can remember watching the television, as they showed the effect of friction during this dangerous portion of the journey. The fireball that was created brought with it temperatures of nearly 5000 degrees. Seeing the effects that this event had on the heat shield brought the danger home for us. While the astronauts were fitted with space suits, nothing would save them if this shield failed.

Kid Zone

All of these amazing exhibits had us wondering how we would have handled space travel. The museum offers visitors a chance to explore this idea. A variety of stations allow guests to challenge their motor skills. While some of the displays are designed specifically for the younger set, (Sorry Crystal, that spacesuit won’t fit.) other exhibits can be enjoyed by all ages. This is the perfect way to wrap up a visit to the museum and inspire the next generation to aim for the stars. Make plans to see if you can discover more than 6 reasons to visit the Stafford Air & Space Museum. We would love to hear what you would add to our list.

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Holder of the History

One thing we have learned during our years of traveling is that every visit is a little different. For each place that we find that is high-tech and up to date with technology, there is another that barely exists in the social media world. These are the ones that struggle to get recognized since they often have no one on staff to assist. When we run across one of these, it makes us a little more eager to get the word out about them. Especially when they have some interesting artifacts and exhibits.

Walk Down Memory Lane

The museum is broken into a series of rooms that each cover a segment of life. As we strolled from room to room, we spotted lots of items that we remembered from our youths. There were just as many that obviously predated our existence. Route 66 was officially designated in 1927. The timing ended up being useful for families heading west to escape the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. It would also serve as a major thoroughfare for Americans heading to Los Angeles for the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Honor in the Heartland

Although there are always a variety of items that are new to us, there are certain themes that play out in city after city. Exploring history in the Heartland of America Museum comes with a healthy dose of patriotism. Many of the museums, like this one in Weatherford, get their artifacts from locals. Proud military members and their families willingly donate pieces that have been collected by those who served. Fortunately, this means that there is plenty for all of us to see.

Heading Outdoors

After looking over the artifacts inside, it was time to move out into the Oklahoma sunshine. A collection of smaller buildings is found on the museum grounds. Each has significance to the people of the region. We could tell that Nedra was finding pleasure in sharing the collection of memorabilia that the staff had amassed on this site. A blacksmith shop and old schoolhouse were first for us to visit.

Historic Visit

Once the doors were opened, we found the interiors of each building to be filled with precious memories. Nedra told stories of her youth, which included experiences in places like these. While life was difficult in those days, it was simpler and just as fulfilling.

Route 66 Memories

There was one last exhibit that Nedra wanted to show us. She had saved the best for last. A small roadside diner sat on one end of the museum grounds. It didn’t look overly impressive and reminded us of many of the mom and pop shops that lined the route. We could almost envision the leather-tufted stools and smell the burgers cooking. The conversations of people discussing the best stops along The Mother Road filled our imaginations.

Cool Daddy was Here!

Once the door was opened, our visions became reality. The counter was just about what we had imagined. Sample plates of food lined the space and represented the stick-to-your-ribs meals that would be served up for hungry travelers. That is about the time that Nedra pointed out an interesting artifact sitting on the counter. A piece of ledger paper held the names of some of the travelers who had dined at this small eatery. Right in the middle was the signature of Elvis Presley. Not only had he stopped to eat here, but it was one of three visits that he made traveling back-and-forth on Route 66.

Local Love

All that talk about dining on the route had certainly built up our appetites. We thanked Nedra for her wonderful tour of the Heartland of America Museum and headed to dinner. Back on Main Street, we located Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. Stepping through the door, we knew we were the only two here that weren’t locals. That was okay with us because the growing crowd signified a good meal to come.

Getting Our Italian On

A quick round of salads took the edge off of our appetites without destroying them. This was just enough to hold us for the main courses. I rarely pass up an opportunity to enjoy some Tortellini Alla Panna, and that evening’s dish was delightfully cheesy. The blend of marinara and alfredo sauces added a nice layer of flavor.  Crystal chose the Luigi’s Special which features chicken, sausage, and ham. Then mix up some white wine cream sauce with a touch of marinara to add a pleasing edge to this interesting dish.

Heartland of America

Another successful day of exploring was in the books. We had once again been getting our kicks on Route 66, and discovering all of this history in the Heartland of America was fulfilling. Time to head to our hotel and do a little swimming before settling in for the night. We had another day of exploring ahead of us and the open road was calling our names. When was your last road trip?

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We want to thank Weatherford Tourism for hosting our lunch. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

A Road Well-Traveled

After wrapping up a visit to Amarillo, Texas, we found ourselves back on the Mother Road heading east. This section of Route 66 has some interesting sights, and many can be seen from the road. Of course, pulling off for a closer look makes the trip more interesting. About 20 miles outside of Amarillo, we happened upon the VW Slug Bug Ranch. This place stands as a parody of the Cadillac Ranch, which sits on the west side of Amarillo. Here we found another opportunity to leave our mark but chose to just memorialize our visit digitally. After a few minutes, we found the road calling all Route 66 lovers to keep exploring.

Hungry in the Heartland

We continued our journey east, as we crossed into Oklahoma territory. Our goal for this portion of the trip was Weatherford, which rests about an hour west of the state capital city. By the time we pulled into town, we were famished and ready for lunch. Fortunately, we had scheduled our first stop to be lunch at Lucille’s. As we pulled into the parking lot, the building reminded us of an iconic stop that would have been a common sight during trips in our childhoods. Making our way inside, we found the dining room to be filled with the familiar color scheme of the late 1950s. This was certainly putting us in a nostalgic mood.

The original Lucille’s sat along Route 66 near Hydro, Oklahoma. While the new version leaves behind the gas station portion, it fulfills the spirit of the Mother Road.  All around its spaces, we found reminders of the “olden days” of travel. When the interstates began popping up across the nation, popular roads soon withered away. Along with these were the livelihoods of many business owners who survived off of the travel traffic. Fortunately, recent years have seen a renewed interest in the “golden days” of cross-country trips.

Burgers – America’s Meal

Dining along the route is a good way to experience plenty of Americana. Once you get past the old-time gas pumps and polished chrome, at Lucille’s, you find a menu filled with a wide range of options. During our visit, we got to have lunch with Haley from the local tourism bureau. This gave us a chance to showcase three choices off of the menu, instead of the two we would usually order. After a morning of exploring, (and afternoon plans of even more) I was looking forward to a beefy burger. Lucille’s Roadhouse has a variety of topping combinations to choose from.

I decided to go with the Blue Cheese Bacon Aioli Burger. They begin with a 1/3 lb. patty cooked to your requested level of doneness. This is topped with bacon, blue cheese crumbles, and their aioli sauce. The whole thing is served on a toasted bun with the normal condiments that are included on the side. The combination of flavors made for a wonderful taste that kept me coming back for more bites. They include one side with this meal and I couldn’t see a better option than a heaping plate of crispy French Fries.

Yard Bird

Haley decided to head in a different direction and ordered the Grilled Chicken Breast. This can be doubled up for those with a bigger appetite, but her plate seemed to have plenty to offer. The grilled filet is served on a bed of rice pilaf and also comes with an extra side. She touted the baked potatoes and ordered one to show us just how hefty the spuds are at Lucille’s Roadhouse. She reported that the dish was cooked perfectly and she tried her best to finish it all up. This dish is calling all Route 66 lovers to come by and have a serving.

Getting Your Greens

Crystal was in a greener mood but knew she needed a burst of protein for our afternoon visits. When she spotted the Paradise Salad, her choice was sealed. A large serving of greens is the base of this freshly prepared dish, but it doesn’t stop there. Let’s count the toppings that they toss on. I saw apple chunks, dried cranberries, chopped pecan pieces, Mandarin orange slices, and pineapple bits. Oh wait, I left out the Blackened chicken breast, so that makes half a dozen toppings. They keep the fruity flavors going with the Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing. Crystal liked this combination of tastes.

Calling All Route 66 Lovers

While Lucille’s Roadhouse is a newer stop along the Route 66 trail, it still embodies the spirit of the open road. We know that many people from around the world will gather annually to explore this slice of Americana. Perhaps this will be on your list of roadside attractions that you visit. Before we left, we discovered that Lucille’s is actually two restaurants in one. The side where we dined is the casual eatery designed like a 1950s carhop stop. They also have a nice steakhouse available for those desiring an upscale meal. It was clear that Lucille’s Roadhouse was calling all Route 66 lovers to stop in and test out their hospitality. We did and couldn’t wait to tell all of you about it!

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